Osasuna came from a goal down to snatch a deserved point in abad-tempered 1-1 game against Villarreal which saw both sides finishwith 10 men.Followingan evenly-disputed first 45 minutes, Marcos Senna put Villarreal - lastseason's runners-up - ahead with a stunning free-kick nine minutesafter the break.
But Iran midfielder Javad Nekounam brought thehome side level 15 minutes later from the penalty spot after hiscompatriot Masoud Shojaei had been fouled by Diego Godin.
Godinwas shown a straight red card for the foul, but Osasuna were alsoreduced to 10 men eight minutes later when Miguel Flano was dismissedfor an ugly challenge on Javi Venta.
The hosts began withintensity and could have taken an early lead after just two minuteswhen Kike Sola fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
Shortly after, Mexico striker Guille Franco was off target at the other end as Villarreal threatened.
Thegame was proving an entertaining affair with both sides looking toattack early on but chances were few and far between as the matchprogressed.
Czech Republic midfielder Jaroslav Plasil came closeto breaking the deadlock after 21 minutes when his shot from the edgeof the penalty area was deflected off team-mate Santi Ezquerro andsailed just wide.
Villarreal then had their best chance of thehalf two minutes later when Gonzalo Rodriguez got forward to fire aclose-range shot towards goal following a rebound, but saw his effortcleared off the line by Osasuna defender Roversio.
The rest ofthe half saw little in the way of goalscoring opportunities but thematch sparked into life soon after the restart, when Senna blasted abrilliant free-kick past Ricardo to give the visitors the lead.
TheBrazil-born midfielder was instrumental in Spain's Euro 2008 successearlier this summer and picked up where he had left off with a tellingcontribution.
But it was not enough to inspire Villarreal to victory as Osasuna fought back to secure a precious point.
Hector Font headed just over from Ezquerro's cross after 65 minutes, but the home side found themselves level soon afterwards.
Godin fouled Masoud and Nekounam stepped up to fire the resulting penalty past Diego Lopez.
Godinwas sent off for the foul and he was followed off the pitch by Flanoeight minutes later when the Osasuna defender hacked down Venta.
With both sides reduced to 10 men, the game fizzled out as neither appeared willing to risk too much in the closing stages.
But Villarreal could have snatched it at the death when Senna blasted a stinging drive just over the crossbar.
Inthe end, a draw was probably a fair result and the two sides will havebeen happy to avoid an opening-day defeat in what was a tricky fixturefor both.
